FARE?AS AND JARO BATTLE THE ODDS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 16 Jul 2012
Challenger Michael Fare?as faces a difficult task today when he tries to dethrone undefeated champion Takashi Uchiyama (18W-0L, 15 KO's) of Japan for the WBA world superfeatherweight title in Saitama.
Uchiyama is known in Japanese boxing circles as ?KO Dynamite?. His resume is impressive and includes names like current IBF champ Juan Carlos Salgado, former interim WBA titlist Jorge Solis and Nedal Hussein, who once knocked down Manny Pacquiao..
Fare?as (34W-3L-3D, 26 KO's) is the Philippine featherweight champion and is moving up in weight for this world title shot. He will try to duplicate the feat of his mentor, Gerry Pe?alosa, who on a cold and fateful February night in Tokyo fifteen years ago, beat Hiroshi Kawashima by split decision for the WBC superflyweight title.
WILL FARE?AS JOIN THE LIST OF FILIPINO 130 lb. DIVISION CHAMPIONS?
The junior lightweight division has existed since 1921. Flash Elorde was the first Filipino to win the world junior lightweight title and he reigned for seven years from 1960-67. Rene Barrientos was WBC champion from 1969-1970. Ben Villaflor was a two time WBA champion 1972-73 and 1973-76. Rolando Navarette reigned as WBC champion from 1981 to 1982.
Two and half decades after Navarette lost his title to Mexico?s Rafael ?Bazooka? Limon, Manny Pacquiao won the WBC title by split decision against Juan Manuel Marquez in their 2008 rematch. Pacquiao did not defend the title and moved up to lightweight in his next fight against David Diaz.
SONNY BOY?S FIRST DEFENSE
The element of surprise will no longer be on the side of Sonny Boy Jaro (34W-10L-5D, 24 KO's) when he defends his WBC world flyweight title also today against Japanese challenger Toshiyuki Igarashi (15W-1L-1D, 10 KO?s).
The camp of the lefty Japanese speedster are very much aware of what Jaro can do when he is in tip top shape. He won his title last March by a stunning upset against Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand.
FLYWEIGHT KINGS
The flyweight division is where the Philippines had a lot of success in producing world boxing champions. Pancho Villa (Francisco Guilledo) was the first Asian world boxing champion and reigned from 1923-25. He was followed by Small Montana (Benjamin Gan) -1935-37, Little Dado (Eleuterio Zapanta) ? 1938 and Salvador ?Dado? Marino ? 1950-52.
In the era of fractured titles, Filipinos who won world title belts at flyweight are Bernabe Villacampo (WBA 1969-70), Erbito Salavarria (WBC 1970-72, WBA 1975-76), Frank Cede?o (WBC 1983-84), Dodie Boy Pe?alosa (IBF 1987), Rolando Bohol (IBF 1988),Manny Pacquiao (WBC 1998-99), Malcolm Tu?acao (WBC 2000-01) and Nonito Donaire (IBF 2007-09). Brian Viloria (WBO 2011 ? present) and Jaro are the two Pinoys currently reigning over the 112 lb. division.
(Photo - Michael Farenas (left) and Sonny Boy Jaro)
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